Wiki what? As I was thinking about my topic for the column this week and throwing around different ideas, I began doing a bit of online research pertaining to the correlation between volunteering and happiness. Who knew that volunteering is part of wikiHow’s prescription for fighting depression and loneliness. In fact, it’s method number two, point two, of three methods.

This wasn't my original thought for this column but it got me thinking about the short days, the long winter, the holidays, the long bouts of darkness with little sunshine. Much like the deep freeze of the season, there are many people who also go into their own internal hibernation physically, and some mentally, during the winter months. Some use artificial lights to brighten their mood, others just cope and stay busy, and yet others may find indoor activities to stay happy and healthy. 

There is a ton of research available which shows just how good volunteering is for your body, mind and soul such as: people who volunteer are happier and healthier; have lower stress levels; feel more connected to their community; have their sense of purpose in life enriched, etc. With all of these benefits I wonder why we all aren’t volunteering…most especially those who tend to go into a seasonal emotional lull.

United Health conducted a study about the benefits of volunteering and among many other things they found the following among people who volunteered within the past 12 months:

76% felt healthier

94% said their mood was better

78% had lower stress levels

I can tell you that the need is great in the community. I’ve been going everywhere lately it seems, doing my best to meet with all of the United Way of Sheboygan County Volunteer Center member organizations. There is a theme to what I’m hearing – “we need long-term volunteers so desperately!”  I absolutely get it too.  Because I’ve worked on the agency side of the nonprofit world for so long, I know not only how hard it is to find long-term volunteers, but the resources that go into doing background checks and training alone can be steep. So when the agency makes this investment in volunteers and he or she doesn't stay for more than a few months, it really hurts the organization financially and puts a dent in their overall operations.

So how about this: grab a friend or family member and volunteer together. Choose from the litany of needs at www.uwofsc.org/volunteer. Commit to a long-term need like mentoring, tutoring, visiting hospice patients, teaching children, transporting nursing home residents; or become an office assistant, lead a children’s group, help the hospitals, answer phones for an organization, become a board member. The sky is the limit. With so much need and such a long winter and spring ahead, there couldn't be a much better way to ward off seasonal or chronic depression, hibernation boredom or any other type of fatigue while at the same time staying active, engaged and productive. Give yourself a mood boost!

Don’t forget tomorrow, Dec. 2, is #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. Please share how you are giving back tomorrow through social media using #GivingTuesday. Go volunteer, donate to a charity, help a neighbor with a small project. Whatever you choose remember to take a #unselfie and share how you decided to give back.